Overview
- U.S. officials said forces detained Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a rapid pre-dawn action on Jan. 3 and transferred them to the United States to face federal narcotics-related charges.
- Reports detail coordinated aerial strikes on key military and logistical sites in and around Caracas, including La Carlota air base, Fuerte Tiuna, Cuartel de la Montaña, the Port of La Guaira and Higuerote airport.
- Venezuelan and Latin American entertainers such as Catherine Fulop, Ricardo Montaner and Carlos Baute posted jubilant messages, reflecting widespread relief across diaspora communities.
- Some voices urged caution about U.S. power projection and near-term risks, with Peru’s Tatiana Astengo questioning the display and singer Elena Rose advising residents to prepare for electricity and communications disruptions.
- Athletes and influencers also reacted online, amplifying support and concern as the operation’s immediate impact reverberated across the region.